The National Football League has been pushing for the Olympics to incorporate America’s most popular sport into the international competition for years. With growing support for flag football in the Olympics, one of the NFL’s all-time greats is already expressing interest.
In the history of the Olympics, American football has only been played twice (1903) and 1932) during the summer. Later attempts to fully incorporate the sport was rejected swiftly by the International Olympic Committee. However, with support starting to ramp up, future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski is already trying to put his name on the list.
- Rob Gronkowski stats (career): 621 receptions, 9,286 receiving yards, 92 touchdowns
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Amid ongoing efforts from the NFL to introduce flag football into the 2028 Olympics, Gronkowski is one of two football stars to express interest in playing at the global level.
During an interview with TMZ Sports, the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end said he’d very much want to play for Team USA if there’s flag football in the 2028 Olympics.
“Hopefully there’s no tryouts and they just accept me,” said the former tight end, who walked away from the NFL for good in 2022. “But I’m in. I’m going for that if there is flag football in the Olympics in 2028. USA going all the way!”
Rob Gronkowski on playing flag football in the 2028 Olympics
Gronkowski isn’t alone in his desire to represent the United States in the 2028 Olympics. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill made it clear he wants to play flag football for Team USA, encouraging his fellow NFL stars to join him.
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Regarding the likelihood of the Olympics incorporating flag football, the IOC is poised to vote within the next week on the possibility of adding baseball, softball, lacrosse, squash, cricket and flag football to the Olympics.
Even if flag football is approved, age will be a factor in the shaping of the rosters. Hill will only be 32 years old, making him a fit for the roster. However, Gronkowski will be 39 years old in the summer of 2028, so it’s possible there are alternatives by then.